Gingered Lemon Bars

Ingredients

• 0.8 cup butter unsalted softened
• 0.3 cup powdered sugar 
• 0.5 teaspoon lemon zest freshly grated
• 0.5 cup crystallized ginger minced
• 0.8 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1 pinch salt 
• 1.5 cups flour all-purpose
• 3 large eggs 
• 1.3 cups granulated sugar 
• 6 Tbsp juice of lemon fresh
• 0.5 teaspoon lemon zest 
• 3 Tbsp flour all-purpose
• 0.5 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• whisk
• baking pan
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Make the crust batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter.
2. Add 1/3 cup of sifted powdered sugar, and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in half a teaspoon of the lemon zest, the ground ginger, the crystallized ginger, and a pinch of salt.
4. Add 1 1/2 cups of flour in batches, a 1/4 cup at a time, beating after each addition. Continue to beat the crust batter until it is well combined.
5. Spread the crust batter evenly over the bottom of a 13x9-inch baking dish.
6. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until browned lightly around the edges.
7. Make the lemon batter: While the crust is baking, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest, 3 Tbsp of flour, the baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a medium sized bowl.
8. Whisk until well blended.
9. Pour the lemon batter over the pre-baked crust.
10. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until the top is golden.
11. If you want, sift a little additional powdered sugar over the top.
12. Let the lemon bars cool in the pan on a rack.
13. Cut it into 36 pieces.